Obituary of Elaine Fosbre Berry

Elaine Berry 

Elaine (Cody) Fosbre Berry, 77, of Olympia passed away on April 25th at home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with cancer and pneumonia.

Elaine was born in Lacey on November 3, 1942 to Fran and Agnes Cody.  She was a true “Laceyite” having seen the town change much over the years. Growing up Elaine lived where the Umpqua Bank is now located and often recalled the roar of the lions at night when the circus was in town.  She had fond memories of sneaking off with her adventurous brothers to the drive-in-movie theater to catch a free flick. As a teenager she worked for Tony’s Jewelry and Bailey Drugs.  In 1960 she graduated from North Thurston High School. 

In 1963 she married Bill Fosbre. They were later divorced and she married Curt Berry in 1973.  

She worked for several years as an accountant for SPI and later the Principals Association until 1985 when she and Curt bought a jewelry store in Chehalis.  Elaine successfully managed the store for 14 years--but truth be told she would have rather owned a nursery/garden shop.  Her love of flowers and plants was obvious to anyone seeing their home on Long Lake. When the mall closed in Chehalis she semi-retired to be the bookkeeper for Curt Berry Jewelers in Lacey.

Elaine had many passions in life.  She was a voracious reader of books and could often power through long novels in just a day or two. Her favorite time to read was early in the morning when the house was quiet. There she would sit at the kitchen table with a warm cup of tea or coffee in her hand reading until the rest of the family began to rise. She loved the company of babies and could sit for long periods of time holding her young grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling around the country by car. She and Curt traveled thousands of miles exploring the country and collecting souvenirs to fill their home. They spent many a Saturday afternoon with close friends at tailgates parties and cheering on the Washington Huskies. She cherished time spent with neighbors in her Capitol City Golf Course neighborhood and prior to that time playing endless rounds of cribbage with her neighbors on Long Lake. In her retirement she became a skilled quilter and completed many projects to decorate their home.  In her later years one of her most beloved past times was a visit to the casino to play the slots. 

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Jerry and Dean Cody.  She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Curt, her daughters Barb (Ron) of Friday Harbor, Patti (Craig) Francis of Olympia, son Bill (Tracy) Fosbre, Lacey.  Daughters Kim (Mike) Fleck, Portland and Trish (John) Obrecht, Chicago and her brother Dave Cody (Rebecca) of Olympia.  In addition, she had 11 grandchildren~Cody, Jordan, Samantha, Ryanne, Kristen, Brandon, Shelby, Riley, Quinn, Olivia, and Nathan.

Special thanks to Dr. Lechner, Dr. Larsen, and the Hospice staff...Crystal, Lori, Teresa, and Cat.

At Elaine’s request there will be no service, but “she never met a slot machine she didn’t like” so she would be smiling down if you make a donation to your local casino!